The Athlete: LUIGI CANI
Episode: Wing Suit BASE Jump | Premiere: Feb. 19, 2007

Perry's Thoughts:
This may have been one of the hardest locations to do a stunt that we have ever had on this show. How do you build a half-mile-long wooden road to the edge of the Grand Canyon in the middle of winter? The problems seemed insurmountable ... The weather was constantly changing and the location was so remote that we could only get materials to the site with four-wheel-drive pickups and forklifts. But after four long, hard days, we finally got it done. To be standing there, at the edge of the Grand Canyon, watching Luigi come down this wooden road on his motorcycle at 100 mph, launch himself into the Grand Canyon, and soar like a bird with his wing suit was truly a sight to behold. Luigi Cani is probably one of the most talented and crazy people I know.

Eli's Thoughts:
Hearing we were doing another stunt with Luigi Cani was exciting. Luigi and I have been friends for many years and he is always into pushing the limits. When I heard he was going to drive a speed bike off the edge of the Grand Canyon, I was like, "Game on!" We met Luigi at the site and it was super-impressive, as well as super-cold. Nate Wessel was there to build the ramp Luigi would drive down and that was no easy task. Building the 8-foot-wide ramp and 800-foot level was a stunt in itself. Luigi was ready to make it happen but with his experience level in BASE jumping, I was worried about the outcome. He not only needed to drive on the wood ramp but also fly his wing suit while making a perfect BASE jump. This was a do-or-die stunt with no second chances. As the weather got better, it was time to look at the landing area. We took a helicopter down and this place was simply jaw-droppingly beautiful. I stayed at the bottom, and Luigi and Dave Barlia went out of the chopper to simulate the jump. Both of them came off perfectly and landed without any problems. Now it was time for the main event. Luigi got suited up, got on the bike, and got ready to go. I stayed at the bottom while Perry stayed up at the canyon rim with Luigi. Perry made the call and Luigi laid on the gas. When I first saw him fly over the edge, I could tell he was trucking; he got away from the bike, inflated the suit, and had a perfect opening. Wow! His landing was flawless and the whole stunt was a total success. Luigi will continue to set new records and push the limits. Who knows what he has in mind for his next wild adventure!